Wed Oct 08 09:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Online gaming companies in India are facing severe repercussions due to the newly implemented Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. This law, which bans real money games and related financial services, has led to business closures and employee layoffs. The companies have appealed to the Supreme Court for an interim stay, arguing the law violates fundamental rights and established legal distinctions. The government defends the law as necessary to protect individuals and the nation from the harmful effects of online money games, citing addiction, financial losses, money laundering, and national security concerns. The Supreme Court has consolidated petitions challenging the law and has scheduled a hearing for November 4th.

**News Article:**

**Indian Online Gaming Industry Crippled by New Law, Companies Plead with Supreme Court**

**NEW DELHI, October 7, 2025** – India’s online gaming industry is teetering on the brink of collapse following the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. Gaming companies are urgently appealing to the Supreme Court, claiming the new legislation has effectively shut down their businesses and forced mass layoffs.

“Our business is closed completely. Employees are laid-off. It is a huge issue for us,” stated senior advocate C.A. Sundaram and advocate Rohini Musa representing the gaming companies before a Supreme Court bench.

The controversial law bans real money games, along with related banking services and advertisements. Gaming companies argue that the act violates fundamental rights, including equality, freedom of expression, and federalism, challenging the legal distinction between games of skill and games of chance. They have requested an interim stay on the law’s implementation.

The government, however, defends the legislation as a necessary measure to curb the proliferation of online money games, which it says poses a “serious risk for individuals, families and the nation.” Authorities claim an estimated 45 crore people have been negatively impacted by these platforms, suffering financial losses exceeding ₹20,000 crore. They also allege that some platforms have been used for illicit activities like terror financing and illegal messaging, posing a threat to national security. The government stated that gambling and betting are already restricted under Indian laws, and the online domain was largely unregulated.

The Supreme Court has consolidated all petitions challenging the law, previously scattered across various High Courts, to avoid conflicting judgments. The next hearing is scheduled for November 4th, following the Deepavali holiday. The outcome of this case will determine the future of the burgeoning online gaming industry in India.

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